During online discussions and debates you can see the most wonderfull snarky remarks and insults be made. Often in reference to people claiming their opponent doesn't know how to apply logic and reasoning. So, why don't we take a closer look in to what they are.

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Logic: "reasoning conducted or assessed according to strict principles of validity"

Reasoning: "the action of thinking about something in a logical, sensible way"

There are 3 main methods of using existing knowledge to draw logical conclusions, make predictions, or construct explanations.

• Deductive reasoning (not the one Sherlock Holmes uses)

This starts with the assertion of a general rule and goes from there to a guaranteed conclusion.

• Inductive reasoning (the one Sherlock Holmes uses)

This starts with observations that are specific and limited in scope, then goes to a generalized conclusion which is likely, but not certain, in consideration of the gathered evidence.

• Abductive reasoning 

This starts with an incomplete set of observations and goes to the likeliest possible explanation for the set of observations. 

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Depending on the information or knowledge you have, you can apply these methods of reasoning to draw conclusions, make predictions or construct explanations, whilst hypothesising, philosophising or debating some person on the internet... 

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But then there are Fallacies and Biases to recon with. 

Fallacy: "a mistaken belief, especially one based on unsound arguments"

Bias: "inclination or prejudice for or against one person or group, especially in a way considered to be unfair"

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And there are a lot of those. If you google a bit, you'll find hundreds of identified fallacies and biases. Adhominem Attack, Appeal to Authority, Strawman and the Appeal to Ignorance are just a couple of the most common fallacies. The Dunning-Kruger effect, Confirmation Bias, Self-Serfing Bias and the Curse of Knowledge and Hindsight bias are some of the most common biases. And all of these make debating on the internet so much more fun!